A sensor system, including: a dielectric material on a part body; and a sensor on the dielectric material, the sensor configured to provide impedance, capacitance, and resistance values and to alter one or more of the impedance, capacitance and resistance values responsive to a stress applied to the part body. Also disclosed is a method of making and a method of using the sensor system.

A novel method for two-dimensional or three-dimensional photo-thermal printing of metals, oxides, alloys, and metal composites to produce objects having predetermined shapes is presented. The method comprises: providing a metal ion solution on a substrate; focusing modulated laser light with an objective lens system into the solution on the substrate, thereby causing a microbubble to form and attaching reduced metal ions to the substrate; and moving the focus of the modulated laser light in the x, y, and z directions to continuously form new microbubbles on the previously deposited structure and directly attach reduced metal ions to the previously deposited structure as metal, metal oxide, alloy, or metal composite until the predetermined shape of the object has been produced. The method can be carried out using both layer by layer printing and vector printing.

A novel method for two-dimensional or three-dimensional photo-thermal printing of metals, oxides, alloys, and metal composites to produce objects having predetermined shapes is presented. The method comprises: providing a metal ion solution on a substrate; focusing modulated laser light with an objective lens system into the solution on the substrate, thereby causing a microbubble to form and attaching reduced metal ions to the substrate; and moving the focus of the modulated laser light in the x, y, and z directions to continuously form new microbubbles on the previously deposited structure and directly attach reduced metal ions to the previously deposited structure as metal, metal oxide, alloy, or metal composite until the predetermined shape of the object has been produced. The method can be carried out using both layer by layer printing and vector printing.

The invention relates to a method to form copper nanoparticles. The method comprises heating a solution comprising a copper precursor comprising at least one neat copper carboxylate in a concentration of at least 0.2 M, a stabilizer comprising an amine in a concentration equal or larger than the concentration of the copper precursor and optionally a solvent to a temperature T1 to form metallic copper. The solution is then heated to a temperature T2, with the temperature T2 being at least 10° C. higher than the temperature T1. The solution is heated from temperature T1 to temperature T2 with an average rate of at least 2 degrees per minute.

The invention further relates to copper nanoparticles obtainable by such method and to formulations comprising such nanoparticles.

A copper paste for joining contains metal particles and a dispersion medium, in which the copper paste for joining contains copper particles as the metal particles, and the copper paste for joining contains dihydroterpineol as the dispersion medium. A method for manufacturing a joined body is a method for manufacturing a joined body which includes a first member, a second member, and a joining portion that joins the first member and the second member, the method including: a first step of printing the above-described copper paste for joining to at least one joining surface of the first member and the second member to prepare a laminate having a laminate structure in which the first member, the copper paste for joining, and the second member are laminated in this order; and a second step of sintering the copper paste for joining of the laminate.

A copper paste for joining contains metal particles and a dispersion medium, in which the copper paste for joining contains copper particles as the metal particles, and the copper paste for joining contains dihydroterpineol as the dispersion medium. A method for manufacturing a joined body is a method for manufacturing a joined body which includes a first member, a second member, and a joining portion that joins the first member and the second member, the method including: a first step of printing the above-described copper paste for joining to at least one joining surface of the first member and the second member to prepare a laminate having a laminate structure in which the first member, the copper paste for joining, and the second member are laminated in this order; and a second step of sintering the copper paste for joining of the laminate.

A production method for a refined product of a metal nanoparticle-containing composition, including causing a metal nanoparticle-containing composition to pass in a liquid state from one side to the other side of a porous polyimide and/or polyamide-imide membrane having interconnection pores with differential pressure, and a production method for a refined product of a metal nanoparticle dispersion liquid, including causing a metal nanoparticle dispersion liquid to pass from one side to the other side of a porous polyimide and/or polyamide-imide membrane having interconnection pores with differential pressure.

A production method for a refined product of a metal nanoparticle-containing composition, including causing a metal nanoparticle-containing composition to pass in a liquid state from one side to the other side of a porous polyimide and/or polyamide-imide membrane having interconnection pores with differential pressure, and a production method for a refined product of a metal nanoparticle dispersion liquid, including causing a metal nanoparticle dispersion liquid to pass from one side to the other side of a porous polyimide and/or polyamide-imide membrane having interconnection pores with differential pressure.

Methods of forming metal multipod nanostructures. The methods may include providing a mixture that includes a metal acetylacetonate, a reducing agent, and a carboxylic acid. The mixture may be contacted with microwaves to form the metal multipod nanostructures. The methods may offer control over the structure and/or morphology of the metal multipod nanostructures.

Methods of forming metal multipod nanostructures. The methods may include providing a mixture that includes a metal acetylacetonate, a reducing agent, and a carboxylic acid. The mixture may be contacted with microwaves to form the metal multipod nanostructures. The methods may offer control over the structure and/or morphology of the metal multipod nanostructures.